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Step
1: Get the Facts: The Issue
It's
hard to stay in shape these days. Our entire lives are built around driving
cars, eating on the run, and spending our free time relaxing in front of
the TV or computer. We live in neighborhoods without sidewalks; we
are surrounded by high calorie and high fat foods; we drive more than we
walk or ride bikes.
All of these factors may contribute to the fact that two out of every three Americans
are now overweight or obese -- defined as having a body
mass index over 25 -- and that number is rising. While this problem is
widely recognized as a public health crisis, we don't have nearly enough information
about realistic ways that regular people can actually change their lives
and bodies. For many of us, a vigorous workout regimen or restrictive diet is
just not possible.
At the same time, we want to be healthy not just for ourselves, but for our children
and grandchildren. And we all know that if we don't follow established healthy
eating patterns, and continue to decrease our activity levels, we might not be
able to do that.
The truth is that even small changes in your life will add up to big results
-- and that you can build on small successes to see change. That
is why we have developed the Small Steps program. We realize that you are pressed
for time and that your lifestyle makes it difficult to be active and healthy.
But that's not a reason to give up. Instead, we encourage you to integrate better
eating and activity habits into your life one by one. We encourage setting realistic
goals and taking small steps to meet them. And we offer the tools and information
you need to become healthier, happier, and longer-lived.
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